Wheels of Steel Book 4 (25 page)

The party hosted by Akita Tom Productions marked several great beginnings. It marked the release of the Akita Tom tribute album, the signing of the label’s two new artists Sweetheart and Wheels of Steel, and it marked their departure back to the states.

The star-studded event included musicians and movie stars from all over the world. The venue was top notch and the videos created by Amberly and Belinda were broadcast across large screens scattered throughout each room of the party. The first single, No new to be high was already getting rave reviews and expected to hit the top one hundred chart in Jazz and New Age. It was already number one on the Japanese charts.

Internet radio was leaking the cuts and there were already other tribute albums popping up trying to cash in on Akita’s fame. Everyone wanted some connection to the sound. People were throwing offers left and right for Sweetheart to sing with them or for Wheels of Steel to produce a song or provide the music for their project. And in the meantime their label was cleaning up on the action—even without Akita’s unreleased music.

Hidalgo had even agreed that once he released the music that he and Akita had created, he would do it through Akita Tom Productions instead of his own label.

If there were any hard feelings between anyone it was impossible to tell that night of the big party. Hidalgo did shots with Hideo and James sang along drunkenly to Yagano’s piano playing. Robin took the stage and sang
Gives You Hell
by the All-American Rejects with Amberly and Belinda singing back-up.

This time the images uploaded via YouTube were just of people singing, dancing and having fun.

The next day Yagano drove the group to the airport and for a moment Robin was unsure if she wanted to leave. Japan represented home to her now, as well as new adventures along with promises for an up and coming future. In Japan she had gotten engaged, she had several singing contracts including one to act in one of Japan’s most popular animes. She had found new and old friends and she had learned not to be afraid of every little thing. Because truly, she was pretty bad-ass.

Before they boarded the flight everyone hugged and kissed their goodbyes. Jason hugged and kissed Amberly and then he caught Yagano in a half handshake, half hug.

“Thank you for having our backs,” he whispered.

“No problem, brother.” Y replied.

Robin smiled at Y and then slipped her hand into his. “Take care of yourself, okay?”

“You do the same, Robin,” he looked at her and then lowered his eyes, released her hand and turned away.

Robin felt something tug at her heart at the loss of contact. She turned to Jason and the others who were busy checking their carry-on and she smiled and hurried to catch up with them. It was time to go home and begin the rest of her life!

As Amberly and Yagano drove toward their home Amberly turned to him. They were holding hands and a weight had lifted from both of their shoulders. The demons of the past had been laid to rest for Amberly—as well as for Yagano.

“The house is going to be so quiet now,” she said wistfully. “Without Akita there it’s going to feel so different.”

Yagano nodded grimly. “It’s sad but I think Akita left us the house because he wanted us to keep it alive with memories of him.” He looked at her. “So you don’t want to sell it and move closer to Tokyo?”

“No,” she replied adamantly. “I love that house. No other house will ever feel as much like home.” Her eyes twinkled at him. “Especially if we can fill it with babies.”

Yagano smiled happily. “There’s nothing I want more, Amberly.” He glanced at her. “I think we should start making those babies tonight.”

She giggled and kissed his cheek, ignoring the fading bruises. When they pulled up to the driveway there was a black Lincoln Town car parked there.

“Who is that?” Amberly asked.

Y frowned. “I don’t know. Stay in the car.”

“Y …” She said as he got out, but he closed the door. He headed to the parked Town car and the passenger door opened. His father stepped out.

Yagano hesitated and then he approached his father not saying anything, waiting for the man that had basically abandoned him to speak.

Daisuke had changed very little since the last time that Yagano had seen him. His thick moustache was now silver and his thick wavy hair still looked like it belonged on a Hollywood movie star. And yet Yagano could see that stress had caused wrinkles around the man’s eyes although his posture was straight and youthful.

Powerful men aged differently then the common man who had to stoop for his living, Yagano decided.

Daisuke glanced at Yagano’s car where Amberly was still waiting.

“There is no need of your wife to stay in your car. I would just like a few moments of your time.”

Yagano thought about whether or not he wanted to give his father even a second of his time. Finally he nodded and then returned to his car and leaned in at the passenger side where Amberly had let down the window to listen.

“Amberly, that’s my father.”

Amberly studied the older man, seeing a bit of her husband in his stance. He had not bothered to visit and so she had never met him.

“What does he want?”

Yagano looked over his shoulder at the man. “I don’t know. But he wants to talk to me for a few minutes.” He looked at her. Can you go inside and give us a few moments? I don’t want him to set foot inside my house.”

After a brief pause Amberly nodded. “Be careful.”

She was the second woman to advise him of that today. “I will.”

Amberly got out of the car and Yagano escorted her to the house. When she was even with the man that had fathered her husband she nodded her head politely and he returned the gesture. And then she was in the house with the door closed after her.

Yagano turned to regard his father and then he walked to the car. Daisuke gestured for him to get into the backseat and Y decided that there was no reason to decline the request so he climbed inside the luxury car and his father joined him.

“Yagano-chan, it’s been a long time since we’ve talked,” his father spoke in Japanese

“
Hai
,” Y agreed. And then he said no more. This was his father’s party so let him get to the point.

His father reached into his pocket and withdrew a white handkerchief. He offered it to Yagano whose heart began to rapidly beat. His father wanted yubitsume from him? Yagano gave his father a bold look and then accepted the handkerchief. But it wasn’t flat. Yagano opened it and saw a withering fingertip.

“Riyu’s.” His father said simply. “He is in your debt.”

Yagano’s mouth formed a firm line. “Is that what you think?”

“He tried to take more than he should have. He had no permission to do the things he did. He ran his gang in a dishonorable manner.”

“Ran?” Yagano asked.

“He still heads his gang, but now he has a new second in command, one of my men who will watch him carefully.”

“I see.” But Yagano didn’t. He didn’t care about any of this. The Yakuza and their affairs was no longer a part of his life.

“I see that there is still much distance between us-“ Daisuke said.

Yagano’s eyelids hooded as he tried not to allow his anger to rise at the understatement of the decade. “I may be your son, but I am not your family. It was you that created that distinction between Riyu, Anessa and myself,” Anessa being the sister that he hadn’t seen in ten years.

Daisuke watched him and then nodded slightly, surprising Yagano that he so readily accepted his angry retort.

“Yori has already told me that I have not been a true father to you. He reminded me that he has been more of a father to you than I have.” Daisuke did not tell Yagano that the punishment Yori received for his words was to be released from his duties as his right hand—and placed as the right hand of Riyu. Perhaps since he thought himself a better father he could do something to make Riyu a better man.

Daisuke sighed. “When I was young it was hard for me to understand that the world would continue to revolve without me. I thought that by making sure all of your financial needs were met, and ensuring that you were sent to the right schools that it would absolve me of my neglect. I knew that I could not be the father that you deserved. I had another family that I valued—one that I had damaged almost beyond repair due to my indiscretions.

“I made it up to them by pushing you away. Although … I wanted you in my life more than I can ever express.”

Yagano just stared at him, resenting his confession at the same time that he was unable to turn away and dismiss it or him.

“My wife was not someone that I had initially loved. Our arrangement was developed by our parents and cultivated for many years before we eventually married. So when I met your mother and I experienced feelings that were new to me, I was not strong enough to deny them. In the process I hurt the only woman that I truly loved.”

Daisuke looked down at his hands. “Even though I lost her I never wanted to lose you.”

Yagano frowned and gave him a what-the-fuck-are-you-talking-about-look.

“You lost me when you made me enter your house through a side door. You lost me when you turned a blind eye to the abuse that Riyu heaped upon me, and when you stopped coming to my house or sending for me. You lost me, father, when you told me that there was no place in the Yakuza for me because Riyu was already there.” Yagano reached for the door. “We’re through here-“

“Wait. Son, wait.” Daisuke placed a gentle hand on his arm and seemed to take notice of the bandage still present. “Everything you say is true Yagano. I put Riyu before you because he was the first son and would take over everything. I wanted to appease him because I knew that I had lost his respect. I catered to him and his mother when it came to you, out of a sense of guilt! And yes I was weak and a stupid man. I had no idea that there would come a day when I did not have the love of either son.”

Daisuke looked down and his face seemed to break. He looked up and met the eyes of Yagano who paused with his father’s hand still on his bandaged arm.

“Did you want to say sorry, father?” Yagano prompted.

Daisuke nodded. “Yes, my son.”

“You could have encouraged a better relationship between Riyu and I. Instead you allowed our animosities to turn into hatred.” He thrust the yubitsume back at his father who accepted it reluctantly.

“I don’t need this. You do.”

Daisuke clutched Yagano’s wrist in a tight grip, causing pain to the healing wound. Yagano looked at him in surprise.

“You’re scheduled to get a new mon,” he said simply, his eyes boring into those of his son’s. “After which you will become sai
kō
-komon of your own gang with an accountant, underboss, advisors and enforcers of your choosing. Your position in the Yakuza is effective immediately.” Daisuke released his son. “I suggest you begin the process of selecting your staff.”

Daisuke got out of the car and returned to the passenger’s seat. Yagano exited the vehicle, closing the door without thought. His face was full of confusion and surprise.

Daisuke rolled down his window. “The
sakazuki
ceremony will be held Friday. Have your selections made by then and we will discuss territory.” Daisuke looked at his son. “Do you accept?”

Yagano nodded silently.

THE END

AUTHORS COMMENTS:
As I’ve explained, Wheels of Steel is an un-going tale. Each novel will have a complete beginning as well as a complete ending. With that said, there will be a book 5 in the continuing tale. There are some weddings to plan, discussions about drugs and alcohol, perhaps even a baby in Amberly’s future—if there is a future for Amberly and Yagano after his father’s untimely offer to finally grant him a place in the Yakuza.

We will also see more from Robin, Jason and Peter’s venture into stardom. There will be more music, more fun and of course more sexiness! I hope you enjoyed book 4. If so please let others know by reviewing this book. Also you may enjoy other Pepper Pace stories which are listed below.

STRANDED!

Juicy

Love Intertwined Vol. 1

Love Intertwined Vol. 2

Urban Vampire; The Turning

Urban Vampire; Creature of the Night

Urban Vampire; The Return of Alexis

Wheels of Steel Book 1

Wheels of Steel Book 2

Wheels of Steel Book 3

Angel Over My Shoulder

CRASH

Miscegenist Sabishii

They Say Love Is Blind

Beast

A Seal Upon Your Heart

Everything is Everything Book 1

Everything is Everything Book 2

Adaptation

About Coco’s Room

SHORT STORIES

~~***~~

Someone to Love

The Way Home

MILF

Blair and the Emoboy

Emoboy the Submissive Dom

1-900-BrownSugar

Someone To Love

My Special Friend

Baby Girl and the Mean Boss

A Wrong Turn Towards Love

The Delicate Sadness

The Shadow People

COLLABORATIONS

~~***~~

Seduction: An Interracial Romance Anthology Vol. 1

Scandalous Heroes Box set